Information processing method, information processing device, information processing system, program, and storage medium

Abstract

To provide an information processing method capable of easily grasping a situation that a user can be in a state of abnormal respiration from the determination based on an extreme value time interval of a respiratory waveform.SOLUTION: An information processing method includes: acquiring data related to a respiratory waveform, the data indicating a conversion from inspiration to expiration in the waveform by a first type of extreme value and indicating a conversion from expiration to inspiration in the waveform by a second type of extreme value; acquiring timing information corresponding to the first type of extreme value and / or the second type of extreme value within a first time period in the waveform, and calculating a time interval of the timing information corresponding to each of the two extreme values for each of combinations of adjacent extreme values used to acquire the timing information; determining whether or not the number of time intervals within the first time interval among the calculated time intervals is equal to or greater than a first threshold value; and performing output based on whether or not the calculated number is equal to or greater than the first threshold value.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing method, an information processing device, an information processing system, a program, and a storage medium. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a pulmonary function test has been performed using a medical device called a spirometer. With a spirometer, the patient holds a spirometer filter in their mouth, measuring the volume and speed of air moving in and out of their lungs. This allows for the evaluation of the condition of the respiratory system (lungs and thorax), the presence or absence of disease, and the severity of the disease. A common respiratory test involves a nurse placing their hand on the patient's chest to check.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique in which lung age calculated from measurements taken with a spirometer is used as lung function information for early detection and prevention of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2014 / 097449 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Pulmonary function tests using spirometers require patients to wear a spirometer filter, which is uncomfortable for the patient. Respiratory tests, in which a nurse places their hand on the patient's chest, do not provide detailed information about lung function. Furthermore, both tests are inconvenient because they require the patient to visit a medical institution, and they tend to be performed only after the patient's condition has worsened, or only as part of other tests. Furthermore, both tests require the patient to be conscious of their breathing, making it difficult to observe natural breathing patterns.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide an information processing method, an information processing device, an information processing system, a program, and a storage medium that can easily determine whether a user may be in a state of abnormal breathing from a determination based on the time interval between extreme values ​​of a respiratory waveform. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] That is, the present invention can include the following aspects. [1] An information processing method executed by a device having a hardware processor and a storage medium, acquiring data relating to a waveform indicating a user's respiratory state via a respiration measurement device, the data indicating a transition from inspiration to expiration in the waveform by a first type of extremum and a transition from expiration to inspiration by a second type of extremum; acquiring timing information corresponding to a first type of extremum and / or a second type of extremum within a first time period from the waveform, and calculating a time interval between the timing information corresponding to each of the two extremums for each combination of adjacent extremums used to acquire the timing information; calculating the number of time intervals that are within a first time interval among the calculated time intervals, and determining whether the calculated number is equal to or greater than a first threshold; performing an output based on whether the calculated number is equal to or greater than the first threshold value; An information processing method, including: [2] In the step of calculating the time interval, when timing information corresponding to the first type extreme value or the second type extreme value within the first time period is acquired from the waveform to calculate the time interval, a ratio [1 / second] of the magnitude of the first threshold value to the length of the first time period (magnitude of the first threshold value / length of the first time period [seconds]) is 0.080 or more and 0.120 or less; In the step of calculating the time interval, when timing information corresponding to the first type extremum and the second type extremum within the first time period is acquired from the waveform to calculate the time interval, a ratio [1 / second] of the magnitude of the first threshold to the length of the first time period (magnitude of the first threshold / length of the first time period [seconds]) is equal to or greater than 0.160 and equal to or less than 0.240. [1] The information processing method described in [1]. [3] The determining step further includes, when the calculated number is equal to or greater than the first threshold, determining whether the calculated number is less than a second threshold that is greater than the first threshold; In the step of outputting, the output is further based on whether the calculated number is less than the second threshold value. [1] The information processing method described in [1]. [4] In the step of calculating the time interval, when timing information corresponding to the first type extreme value or the second type extreme value within the first time period is acquired from the waveform to calculate the time interval, a ratio [1 / second] of the magnitude of the first threshold value to the length of the first time period (the magnitude of the first threshold value / the length of the first time period [seconds]) is 0.080 or more and 0.120 or less, and a ratio [1 / second] of the magnitude of the second threshold value to the length of the first time period (the magnitude of the second threshold value / the length of the first time period [seconds]) is 0.20 or more and 0.60 or less, In the step of calculating the time interval, when timing information corresponding to the first type extremum and the second type extremum within the first time period is acquired from the waveform to calculate the time interval, a ratio [1 / second] of the magnitude of the first threshold to the length of the first time period (magnitude of the first threshold / length of the first time period [seconds]) is 0.160 or more and 0.240 or less, and a ratio [1 / second] of the magnitude of the second threshold to the length of the first time period (magnitude of the second threshold / length of the first time period [seconds]) is 0.40 or more and 1.20 or less. [3] The information processing method described in [3]. [5] In the step of calculating the time interval, when timing information corresponding to the first type extreme value or the second type extreme value within the first time period is acquired from the waveform to calculate the time interval, a ratio [1 / second] of the magnitude of the first threshold value to the length of the first time period (magnitude of the first threshold value / length of the first time period [seconds]) is 0.20 or more and 0.60 or less; In the step of calculating the time interval, when timing information corresponding to the first type extremum and the second type extremum within the first time period is acquired from the waveform to calculate the time interval, a ratio [1 / second] of the magnitude of the first threshold to the length of the first time period (magnitude of the first threshold / length of the first time period [seconds]) is 0.40 or more and 1.20 or less. [1] The information processing method described in [1]. [6] further comprising the step of acquiring acceleration data relating to the user; the first time period is a time during which an absolute value of acceleration accompanying the user's movement is equal to or less than a threshold; [1] to [5]. [7] In the step of calculating the time interval, when timing information corresponding to the first type of extreme value or the second type of extreme value within the first time period is acquired from the waveform to calculate the time interval, the first time interval is a time interval having a length that is 5% to 45% of an average value of a time interval between adjacent maximum values ​​or an average value of a time interval between adjacent minimum values ​​in a waveform that indicates a respiratory state of the user when the user is in a normal respiratory state, In the step of calculating the time interval, when timing information corresponding to the first type of extremum and the second type of extremum within the first time period is acquired from the waveform to calculate the time interval, the first time interval has a length that is 10% to 90% of an average value of time intervals between adjacent extremums in a waveform indicating the respiratory state of the user when the user is in a normal respiratory state. An information processing method according to any one of [1] to [6]. [8] The information processing method according to any one of [1] to [7], wherein the first threshold is set based on the user's identification information. [9] The information processing method according to any one of [1] to [7], wherein the first threshold is set based on the breathing rate of the user.

[10] An acquisition unit that acquires data relating to a waveform indicating a user's respiratory state via a respiration measurement device, in which a transition from inhalation to exhalation is indicated by a first type of extreme value in the waveform and a transition from exhalation to inhalation is indicated by a second type of extreme value in the waveform; a time interval calculation unit that acquires timing information corresponding to a first type of extreme value and / or a second type of extreme value within a first time period from the waveform, and calculates a time interval between pieces of timing information corresponding to each of two extreme values ​​for each combination of adjacent extreme values ​​used to acquire the timing information; a determination unit that calculates the number of time intervals that are within a first time interval among the calculated time intervals, and determines whether the calculated number is equal to or greater than a first threshold; an output unit that performs output based on whether the calculated number is equal to or greater than the first threshold; An information processing device comprising:

[11] An information processing device according to

[10] ; At least one of the respiration measuring device and an output device that performs output based on the output from the information processing device; An information processing system comprising:

[12] An acquisition unit that acquires data relating to a waveform indicating a user's breathing state, the data indicating a transition from inhalation to exhalation in the waveform by a first type of extreme value and a transition from exhalation to inhalation by a second type of extreme value; a time interval calculation unit that acquires timing information corresponding to a first type of extreme value and / or a second type of extreme value within a first time period from the waveform, and calculates a time interval between pieces of timing information corresponding to each of two extreme values ​​for each combination of adjacent extreme values ​​used to acquire the timing information; a determination unit that calculates the number of time intervals that are within a first time interval among the calculated time intervals, and determines whether the calculated number is equal to or greater than a first threshold; an output unit that performs output based on whether the calculated number is equal to or greater than the first threshold; An information processing system comprising:

[13] A program for causing a computer to execute processing by each part of the information processing device described in

[10] .

[14] A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that stores a program for causing a computer to execute processing by each unit of the information processing device described in

[10] . [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain an information processing method, an information processing device, an information processing system, a program, and a storage medium that can easily determine whether a user may be in an abnormal breathing state based on a judgment based on the time interval between extreme values ​​of a respiratory waveform. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of an information processing system including an information processing device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the information processing device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the software configuration of the control unit of the information processing device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation executed by the information processing device. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the details of the resting time period identification process. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining details of the extreme value time interval calculation process. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is another diagram for explaining the details of the extreme value time interval calculation process. [Figure 8]FIG. 8 shows an example of a respiratory waveform when a user is in a normal breathing state. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 shows an example of a respiratory waveform when a user is in an abnormal respiratory state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] [First embodiment] (Configuration example) (1) System configuration 1 shows an example of the configuration of an information processing system SYS including an information processing device 1 according to the first embodiment. In addition to the information processing device 1, the system SYS includes, for example, a measurement device 2 and / or an output device 3.

[0011] The measurement device 2 is attached to a user from whom data is to be acquired. For example, a respiration measurement device is used as the measurement device 2. The respiration measurement device is capable of acquiring data related to a waveform indicating the user's respiration state (hereinafter, may also be simply referred to as a respiration waveform). The data is, for example, time-series data capable of indicating the user's respiration state along the time axis in the respiration waveform. More specifically, the data is time-series data capable of indicating a transition from the user's inhalation state to the exhalation state (a transition from inhalation to exhalation) as one of a maximum and a minimum (hereinafter, also referred to as a first type of extremum) in the respiration waveform, and indicating a transition from the user's exhalation state to the inhalation state (a transition from exhalation to inhalation) as the other of a maximum and a minimum (hereinafter, also referred to as a second type of extremum).

[0012] Examples of respiration measurement devices include displacement sensors or expansion sensors that detect changes in the length of a body part whose circumference changes with respiration, as well as millimeter-wave radar sensors. Displacement sensors and expansion sensors detect, for example, resistance or capacitance that changes with the change in length to detect the user's respiratory state. Other devices, such as an accelerometer, may be used as the measurement device 2 in addition to the respiration measurement device. While FIG. 1 illustrates the measurement device 2 as a single block for convenience, any combination of two or more of the above-described respiration measurement devices and other devices, such as an accelerometer, may also be used as the measurement device 2. Various devices used as the measurement device 2 can, for example, analog-to-digital convert detected biological signals, such as voltage signals, and transmit the analog-to-digital converted signals to an external device via a communication network NW.

[0013] In this specification, data relating to a waveform (respiratory waveform) indicating the state of breathing of the user may be any data from which respiratory waveform information can be read, and within this range, data conversion may be performed appropriately at any location, such as the respiratory measuring device, which is an example of the measuring device 2, and the information processing device 1. In this specification, unless otherwise specified, such data will be collectively referred to as data relating to a waveform (respiratory waveform) indicating the state of breathing of the user, regardless of whether data conversion has been performed.

[0014] The information processing device 1 is, for example, a measuring instrument, a personal computer, etc. The output device 3 is, for example, a device capable of outputting audio, vibration, and / or a screen display, such as a smartphone, a mobile terminal (e.g., a tablet terminal), a smartwatch, a head-mounted display, smart glasses, smart contact lenses, a personal computer, etc. In FIG. 1 , the information processing device 1 and the output device 3 are shown as separate devices connected via a communication network NW, but this embodiment is not limited to this. A combination of the information processing device 1 and the output device 3 may constitute a single information processing device. For example, a combination of the information processing device 1 and the output device 3 may constitute a measuring instrument, a personal computer, a smartphone, a mobile terminal (e.g., a tablet terminal), a smartwatch, a head-mounted display, etc. Similarly, the information processing device 1 and one or more of various devices that can be used as the measuring device 2 and the output device 3 may constitute a single information processing device.

[0015] The respiration measuring device serving as the measuring device 2 transmits data relating to the respiration waveform of the user to whom the measuring device 2 is attached to the information processing device 1 via the communication network NW. The information processing device 1 receives the data relating to the respiration waveform and processes the data. When an accelerometer is also used as the measuring device 2, the accelerometer acquires acceleration data relating to the user and transmits the acceleration data to the information processing device 1. The information processing device 1 may receive the acceleration data and use the acceleration data to process the data relating to the respiration waveform.

[0016] The processing of data related to the respiratory waveform by the information processing device 1 will be described. Data related to the respiratory waveform received by the information processing device 1 is stored in the respiratory waveform data storage unit 131. As will be described later, the information processing device 1 reads out the data related to the respiratory waveform from the respiratory waveform data storage unit 131, and calculates, for each combination of adjacent extreme values ​​in the respiratory waveform, the time interval of timing information corresponding to each of the two extreme values ​​(hereinafter also referred to as the extreme value time interval). Under the control of the determination unit 1132, the information processing device 1 makes a determination based on the calculated time interval, and can transmit data based on the determination to the output device 3 via the communication network NW.

[0017] The output device 3 receives data based on the above determination and performs output, such as audio output and / or screen display, based on the data. This allows the user to perceive, for example, abnormal breathing. The perceived abnormal breathing is due to, for example, a decline in respiratory function caused by thoracic stiffness. Such abnormal breathing is known to occur, for example, with aging, and is characterized by breaks in some peaks of the respiratory waveform, or additional small peaks near some peaks of the respiratory waveform. Alternatively, the perceived abnormal breathing may be tachypnea associated with a respiratory disease. In tachypnea, the respiratory rate increases and the intervals between peaks in the respiratory waveform become narrower. While FIG. 1 illustrates the output device 3 as a single block for convenience, only one or more of the above-described devices may be used as the output device 3.

[0018] (2) Hardware configuration related to information processing device FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing device 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0019] The information processing device 1 includes a control unit 11, a program storage unit 12, a data storage unit 13, an input / output interface (input / output I / F) 14, and a bus BUS. Each of the program storage unit 12, the data storage unit 13, and the input / output interface 14 is connected to the control unit 11 via the bus BUS.

[0020] The control unit 11 includes a hardware processor such as a central processing unit (CPU).

[0021] The program storage unit 12 is a storage medium that combines a nonvolatile memory that can be written to and read from at any time, such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD), with a nonvolatile memory such as a read-only memory (ROM). The program storage unit 12 stores middleware such as an operating system (OS), as well as programs used to execute various control processes according to this embodiment. The program storage unit 12 may be realized by, for example, an auxiliary storage device such as a flash memory, a CD-ROM, a DVD disc, or a portable recording medium such as a USB memory.

[0022] The data storage unit 13 is a storage medium that combines a nonvolatile memory, such as an HDD or SSD, that can be written to and read from at any time, with a volatile memory, such as a RAM (Random Access Memory). The data storage unit 13 is used as a working area for the hardware processor of the control unit 11, temporarily stores data, and functions as a buffer and cache. The data storage unit 13 may be realized by an auxiliary storage device, such as a flash memory, or a portable recording medium, such as a CD-ROM, a DVD disc, or a USB memory.

[0023] The input / output interface 14 transmits and receives data to and from external devices using a communication protocol defined by the communication network NW under the control of the control unit 11. The input / output interface 14 is configured by an interface compatible with, for example, a wired LAN or a wireless LAN.

[0024] (3) Software configuration related to information processing device 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the software configuration of the control unit 11 of the information processing device 1 according to the first embodiment. The various functional units shown in the control unit 11 are merely examples and do not need to be distinguished as shown in FIG. 3. A functional unit shown as a single block may be divided into multiple units and realized, or functional units shown as different blocks may be realized as a single unit. Furthermore, each functional unit may be provided in any device in the system SYS.

[0025] The control unit 11 includes, for example, an acquisition unit 111, a resting time period identification unit 112, a respiratory waveform data processing unit 113, and an output unit 114. The processing functions of each functional unit included in the control unit 11 are realized by the control unit 11 causing a hardware processor of the control unit 11 to execute a program stored in the program storage unit 12. Although the case where a program stored in the program storage unit 12 is used has been described, the program used may also be one provided via a communication network NW.

[0026] The input / output interface 14 receives data such as data related to the user's respiratory waveform and acceleration data related to the user transmitted from the measurement device 2 via the communication network NW, and inputs the data to the control unit 11. The input / output interface 14 also receives data output from the control unit 11, and transmits the data to the output device 3 via the communication network NW in accordance with instructions from the control unit 11.

[0027] The data storage unit 13 includes, for example, a respiratory waveform data storage unit 131, an acceleration data storage unit 132, a resting time period storage unit 133, an extreme value time interval storage unit 134, and a determination result storage unit 135. These various storage units will be described as being included in the information processing device 1, but one or more of these storage units may be provided outside the information processing device 1, for example, on cloud computing.

[0028] The respiratory waveform data storage unit 131 stores data related to the user's respiratory waveform. The acceleration data storage unit 132 stores acceleration data related to the user. The resting time period storage unit 133 stores data on a time period during which the user is estimated to be in a resting state. The extreme value time interval storage unit 134 stores data on the extreme value time interval. The determination result storage unit 135 stores data on the results of determination by the respiratory waveform data processing unit 113.

[0029] The acquisition unit 111 acquires data relating to the user's respiratory waveform measured by the respiratory measurement device serving as the measurement device 2 via the input / output interface 14, and executes a process of storing the data in the respiratory waveform data storage unit 131. In the respiratory waveform data storage unit 131, each data item relating to the respiratory waveform is stored in association with timing information.

[0030] The acquisition unit 111 may acquire, via the input / output interface 14, acceleration data related to the user measured by an accelerometer serving as the measurement device 2, and store the data in the acceleration data storage unit 132. The acceleration data storage unit 132 stores each acceleration data item in association with timing information. In this specification, as will be described later, acceleration data may also be described as an example of data related to the user's respiratory waveform. In this case, the acceleration data storage unit 132 can be considered to be included in the respiratory waveform data storage unit 131.

[0031] For example, the resting time period determination unit 112 may read the acceleration data stored in the acceleration data storage unit 132 and, based on the acceleration data, perform a process of determining a time period during which the absolute value of the acceleration associated with the user's movement is equal to or less than a threshold value. The resting time period determination unit 112 then performs a process of storing information about the determined time period in the resting time period storage unit 133. The threshold value to be compared with the absolute value of the acceleration may be, for example, a value that allows the user to be assumed to be in a resting state during the determined time period. For this reason, for convenience, the determined time period will also be referred to as a resting time period in this specification, the functional unit that performs the determination will be referred to as a resting time period determination unit, and the storage unit that stores information about the time period will be referred to as a resting time period storage unit. However, the term "resting" is merely a convenience and does not limit its function or the like in any way.

[0032] The respiratory waveform data processing unit 113 includes, for example, an extremum time interval calculation unit 1131 and a determination unit 1132, and processes the data relating to the respiratory waveform. Specifically, the process is as follows.

[0033] The extremum time interval calculation unit 1131 executes a process of reading data related to the user's respiratory waveform from the respiratory waveform data storage unit 131. The extremum time interval calculation unit 1131 executes a process of acquiring timing information corresponding to a first type of extremum and / or a second type of extremum within a first time period from the waveform, and calculating the time interval between the timing information corresponding to each of the two extremums for each combination of adjacent extremums used to acquire the timing information. The extremum time interval calculation unit 1131 executes a process of storing the calculated time interval information in the extremum time interval storage unit 134.

[0034] The determination unit 1132 reads information stored in the extreme value time interval storage unit 134, calculates the number of time intervals within a first time interval among the calculated time intervals, and performs a process of determining whether the calculated number is equal to or greater than a first threshold. The determination unit 1132 performs a process of storing information on the result of the determination in the determination result storage unit 135. If the determination unit 1132 determines that the calculated number is equal to or greater than the first threshold, the determination unit 1132 may perform a process of determining whether the calculated number is less than a second threshold that is greater than the first threshold. The determination unit 1132 may perform a process of storing information on the result of the determination in the determination result storage unit 135.

[0035] The respiratory waveform data processing unit 113 may use the acceleration data related to the user in the processing of the data related to the waveform described above. Specifically, the processing is as follows. The extreme value time interval calculation unit 1131 may read information on the specified time period (resting time period) stored in the resting time storage unit 133, and may use the specified time period as the first time period to perform the above-mentioned processing.

[0036] Although the above describes an example in which the extremum time intervals are calculated for a portion of the user's respiratory waveform that falls within a first time period, and the determination process is performed for the calculated extremum time intervals, the present embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the extremum time intervals may be calculated for a portion of the user's respiratory waveform that includes the first time period, and the extremum time intervals that fall within the first time period may be selected, and the above-described determination process may be performed.

[0037] The output unit 114 executes a process of reading information on the result of the above-mentioned determination stored in the determination result storage unit 135, generating a notification signal in accordance with the information, and outputting the notification signal to the output device 3 via the input / output interface 14. This output enables the output device 3 to output, for example, audio output, vibration, and / or screen display related to a warning or the like based on the notification signal. This allows the user to perceive, for example, that they are in a state of abnormal breathing.

[0038] In this way, the output unit 114 can output based on whether or not the calculated number is equal to or greater than the first threshold. When the determination unit 1132 performs a determination based on the second threshold and the result is stored in the determination result storage unit 135, the output unit 114 can output based further on whether or not the calculated number is less than the second threshold. This output enables the output device 3 to output as described above, and enables the user to perceive, for example, whether or not the user is in a state of respiratory dysfunction caused by stiffening of the thorax and whether or not the user is in a state of tachypnea.

[0039] (Example of operation) An example of the operation of the information processing device 1 configured as above will be described. (1) Overall operation flow 4 shows a flowchart of an example of the operation executed by the information processing device 1. The operation described below is merely an example, and the operation according to this embodiment is not limited to this.

[0040] Prior to this operation, a respiration measuring device serving as the measuring device 2 measures data relating to a waveform (respiration waveform) indicating the respiratory state of a user to whom the respiration measuring device is attached. The respiration measuring device transmits the data relating to the waveform to the information processing device 1 via the communication network NW. In response to this transmission, the operation shown in the flowchart of Fig. 4 is started. Furthermore, for example, an accelerometer serving as the measuring device 2 acquires acceleration data relating to the user and transmits it to the information processing device 1 via the communication network NW, and the operation shown in the flowchart of Fig. 4 is also started in response to this transmission.

[0041] The control unit 11 of the information processing device 1, under the control of the acquisition unit 111, acquires data relating to the respiratory waveform of the user and acceleration data relating to the user (ST01).

[0042] Next, under the control of resting time period determination unit 112, control unit 11 determines, based on the acceleration data, a time period (resting time period) during which the absolute value of the acceleration accompanying the user's movement is equal to or less than a threshold (ST02). The determined time period is used, for example, as a first time period in the operation of ST03 described below.

[0043] Next, under the control of the extremum time interval calculation unit 1131, the control unit 11 acquires timing information corresponding to a first type of extremum and / or a second type of extremum within a first time period from the user's respiratory waveform, and calculates the time interval (extremum time interval) of the timing information corresponding to each of the two extremums for each combination of adjacent extremums used to acquire the timing information (ST03).

[0044] Next, under the control of the determination unit 1132, the control unit 11 calculates the number of time intervals that are within the first time interval among the calculated time intervals, and determines whether the calculated number is equal to or greater than a first threshold value (ST04). If it is determined that the calculated number is not equal to or greater than the first threshold value, for example, the operation from ST01 is executed again.

[0045] If it is determined that the calculated number is equal to or greater than the first threshold, the control unit 11 will output a message based on the fact that the calculated number is equal to or greater than the first threshold under the control of the output unit 114, as will be described next. More specifically, this is as follows.

[0046] If it is determined that the calculated number is equal to or greater than the first threshold, the control unit 11, under the control of the determination unit 1132, determines whether the calculated number is less than a second threshold that is greater than the first threshold (ST05). As will be described next, the control unit 11, under the control of the output unit 114, performs output further based on whether the calculated number is equal to or greater than the second threshold.

[0047] If it is determined that the calculated number is less than the second threshold, the control unit 11 outputs a first notification signal to the output device 3 via the input / output interface 14 under the control of the output unit 114 (ST06). The first notification signal indicates, for example, that the user is in a state of respiratory dysfunction caused by thoracic stiffness. The output device 3 receives the first notification signal and outputs audio and / or screen display based on the first notification signal. This allows the user to perceive, for example, that the user is in a state of respiratory dysfunction caused by thoracic stiffness. In this way, under the control of the respiratory waveform data processing unit 113, the information processing device 1 can detect that the user is in a state of respiratory dysfunction caused by thoracic stiffness.

[0048] If it is determined that the calculated number is not less than the second threshold, the control unit 11 outputs a second notification signal to the output device 3 via the input / output interface 14 under the control of the output unit 114 (ST07). The second notification signal indicates, for example, that the user is in a state of tachypnea. The output device receives the second notification signal and performs output such as audio output and / or screen display based on the second notification signal. This allows, for example, the user to perceive that they are in a state of tachypnea. In this way, the information processing device 1 can detect, for example, that the user is in a state of tachypnea under the control of the respiratory waveform data processing unit 113.

[0049] In the above description, an example was given in which acceleration data is used to identify the first time period. However, acceleration data does not necessarily need to be used. In this case, the accelerometer serving as the measurement device 2 does not need to acquire and transmit acceleration data to the information processing device 1. Therefore, acceleration data may not be acquired in the operation of ST01, and the operation of ST02 may be omitted. For example, when it is clear that the user is in a resting state while data related to a respiratory waveform is being acquired from the user, or when some control is being performed to keep the user in a resting state, acceleration data may not be used in this way.

[0050] Furthermore, in the above description, an example was given in which the determination process is performed using two thresholds. However, the number of thresholds used is not limited to two. For example, only one threshold may be used, and instead of the operation of ST05, the control unit 11 may output a notification signal indicating that the user is in an abnormal breathing state to the output device 3 via the input / output interface 14 under the control of the output unit 114. The output device 3 receives the notification signal and performs output such as audio output and / or screen display based on the notification signal. This allows the user to perceive that they are in an abnormal breathing state, for example.

[0051] The operations described in relation to the flow shown in FIG. 4 will now be described in detail.

[0052] (2) Respiratory waveform data acquisition processing The operation of ST01 acquires data related to the user's respiratory waveform, as described below. This specification describes an example in which the data is measured using a stretch sensor wrapped around the user's chest. The stretch sensor includes a stretchable capacitor whose capacitance changes with stretch. The stretchable capacitor is, for example, constructed by sandwiching a stretchable dielectric layer between two stretchable conductive layers. The stretchable dielectric layer includes, for example, a stretchable resin material. The stretchable conductive layer can be obtained, for example, by kneading and mixing metal particles and flexible resin and molding it into a film or sheet. The data is measured to measure how the capacitance changes as the circumference of the chest changes with the user's breathing. The processing related to the data will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each figure, the horizontal axis of the respiratory waveform related to the data indicates time, and the vertical axis indicates the capacitance, which corresponds to whether the user is inhaling or exhaling and the degree of inhalation. More specifically, in the respiratory waveform, a transition from a state where the user is inhaling to a state where he is exhaling is indicated by a maximum, and a transition from a state where he is exhaling to a state where he is inhaling is indicated by a minimum.

[0053] The respiration measurement device may use a millimeter-wave radar sensor. Examples of millimeter-wave radar include FMCW (Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave) and Step ICW (Interrupted Continuous Wave). An accelerometer attached to the user's chest may be used as an additional or alternative respiration measurement device. Acceleration in the direction of movement due to chest expansion and contraction caused by breathing increases and decreases in response to the user's breathing. Therefore, acceleration data measured by the accelerometer may be used as data related to the user's respiration waveform.

[0054] (3) Rest time period identification process Fig. 5 is a diagram for explaining the details of the process of identifying a resting time period for a movement in ST02. Fig. 5 shows a user's respiratory waveform. Fig. 5 shows that acceleration data is measured in the up and down directions when the user is standing, and that a time period (resting time period) in which the absolute value of the acceleration associated with the user's movement is equal to or less than a certain threshold is identified from the user's respiratory waveform.

[0055] In this acceleration, when the user is standing or sitting, the influence of gravitational acceleration is seen in addition to the acceleration caused by the user's movement, whereas when the user is lying down, the influence of gravitational acceleration is almost nonexistent. Therefore, the magnitude of the acceleration is smaller when the user is lying down compared to when the user is standing or sitting. Therefore, it is possible to estimate whether the user is standing or sitting, or lying down, based on the magnitude of the acceleration. The threshold value used in the example of FIG. 5 is, for example, a value that allows estimation that the user is lying down during the specified time period.

[0056] (4) Extreme value time interval calculation process 6 and 7 are diagrams for explaining details of the process of calculating the time interval between extreme values ​​of the movement in ST03. Each of Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 shows a respiration waveform of the user. The operation of ST03 uses timing information corresponding to a first kind of extremum and / or a second kind of extremum, which may be, for example, a maximum value and a minimum value, respectively.

[0057] First, a case will be described in which, in the operation of ST03, an extremum time interval is calculated based on timing information of only one of the first kind extremum and the second kind extremum.

[0058] In the operation of ST03, for example, when the extremum time interval is calculated based only on the timing information of the local maximum values ​​as the first type extremum, timing information corresponding to the local maximum values ​​within the first time period in the user's respiratory waveform is acquired, and for each combination of adjacent local maximum values, the time interval between the timing information corresponding to each of the two local maximum values ​​is calculated. More specifically, it is as follows.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 6 , when the times corresponding to the maximum values ​​within the first time period of the waveform are sequentially designated along the time axis as T1, T2, . . . , Ti, . . . , Tn (n is a natural number equal to or greater than 3), the time difference |Ti-Ti-1| is calculated for each integer i ranging from 2 to n. The first time period is preferably a time period in which such time intervals between maximum values ​​can be calculated, for example, five or more, more preferably 20 or more, and even more preferably 25 or more. These maximum values ​​T and the timing information corresponding to these maximum values ​​T may be read from a waveform that is approximated for a certain interval from plots corresponding to each data item of data related to the user's respiratory waveform. Alternatively, when there are a sufficient number of plots corresponding to each data item of data related to the user's respiratory waveform, these maximum values ​​T and the timing information corresponding to these maximum values ​​T may be selected from plots where the capacitance exceeds a predetermined value. The same applies to the minimum values ​​t described below.

[0060] In the example of Figure 6, as described above, the vertical axis indicates capacitance values, which are usually positive. In the region of the waveform where capacitance is low, the influence of the user's body movement is greater than in the region where capacitance is high. Therefore, when the extreme value time interval is calculated based only on timing information of the maximum value as described above, the influence of the user's body movement is smaller than when the extreme value time interval is calculated based only on timing information of the minimum value, or when the extreme value time interval is calculated based on timing information of both the maximum value and the minimum value, as described below, and the accuracy of the determination process from step ST04 onward can be improved.

[0061] In the operation of ST03, for example, when the time interval of the extremum is calculated based only on the timing information of the minimum values ​​as the second type extremum, the timing information corresponding to the minimum values ​​in the first time period in the user's respiratory waveform is acquired, and for each combination of adjacent minimum values, the time interval of the timing information corresponding to each of the two minimum values ​​is calculated. More specifically, it is as follows.

[0062] 7, when the times corresponding to the minimum values ​​of the waveform within a first time period are sequentially designated along the time axis as t1, t2, . . ., ti, . . ., tn (n is a natural number equal to or greater than 3), the time difference |ti-i-1| is calculated for each of i being an integer from 2 to n. The first time period is preferably a time period in which such time intervals between extreme values ​​can be calculated, for example, 5 or more, more preferably 20 or more, and even more preferably 25 or more.

[0063] Next, a case will be described in which, in the operation of ST03, an extremum time interval is calculated based on timing information of both the first kind of extremum and the second kind of extremum. In this case, in the operation of ST03, for example, timing information corresponding to the maximum and minimum values ​​corresponding to the first type of extreme value and the second type of extreme value, respectively, within the first time period in the user's respiratory waveform is acquired, and for each combination of adjacent extreme values ​​used to acquire the timing information, the time interval between the timing information corresponding to each of the two extreme values ​​is calculated.

[0064] (5) Judgment process and output process 8 and 9 are diagrams for explaining the details of the determination process of the operations ST04 and ST05. FIG. 8 shows an example of a user's respiratory waveform when the user is in a normal respiratory state, for example, and FIG. 9 shows a portion of the time period identified in the example of FIG. 5 and shows an example of a user's respiratory waveform when the user is in an abnormal respiratory state, such as reduced respiratory function due to stiffness of the thorax. In the example of FIG. 9, as indicated by the arrows, cracks are observed in some of the peaks of the respiratory waveform, or additional small peaks are observed near some of the peaks of the respiratory waveform. The results of the determination process of the operations ST04 and ST05 may reflect whether the user is in an abnormal respiratory state, as in the example of FIG. 9. In the following, a specific numerical range for the first threshold is mentioned, and the mentioned numerical range is particularly suitable for an adult user with a normal breathing rate (16 to 20 breaths per minute (combined number of inhalations and exhalations)). Similarly, in the following, a specific numerical range for the second threshold is mentioned, and the mentioned numerical range is particularly suitable for an adult user.

[0065] First, in the operation of ST03, if timing information corresponding to a first type of extreme value or a second type of extreme value within a first time period of the respiratory waveform is acquired and the extreme value time interval is calculated based on only the timing information of either the first type of extreme value or the second type of extreme value, the following occurs.

[0066] In the operation of ST04, the number of time intervals that are within the first time interval among the calculated extreme value time intervals is calculated, and it is determined whether the calculated number is equal to or greater than a first threshold value. When the first and second extrema are maximum and minimum values, respectively, the first time interval is, for example, 5% to 45%, preferably 15% to 35%, and more preferably 20% to 30% of the average value of the time intervals between adjacent maximum values ​​or between adjacent minimum values ​​in the user's respiratory waveform when the user is in a normal respiratory state. A normal respiratory state refers to a respiratory state in which no breaks are observed between the peaks of the respiratory waveform, or a respiratory state in which no additional small peaks are observed near each peak, as shown in FIG. 8. The user's respiratory waveform when in a normal respiratory state may be acquired in advance by the information processing device 1. For example, the first time interval may be 2.5 seconds, which is suitable for an adult user with a normal respiratory rate (a respiratory rate (combined number of inhalations and exhalations) of 16 to 20 times per minute).

[0067] In the respiratory waveform of a user when the user is in a normal breathing state as shown in Fig. 8, there are almost no extreme time intervals that are counted as time intervals within the first time interval among the calculated extreme time intervals in the operation of ST04. In contrast, in the example of Fig. 9, the extreme time intervals are calculated in the operation of ST03 based only on timing information of local maximum values ​​as first type extreme values, and in the operation of ST04, the number of time intervals within the first time interval among the calculated extreme time intervals is calculated, for example, the number of local maximum values ​​indicated by arrows.

[0068] The first threshold is, for example, a value such that the ratio [1 / second] of the magnitude of the first threshold to the length of the first time period (magnitude of the first threshold / length of the first time period [seconds]) satisfies the relationship of 0.080 to 0.120. The first threshold is more preferably a value such that the ratio satisfies the relationship of 0.090 to 0.110. The first threshold is even more preferably a value such that the ratio satisfies the relationship of 0.095 to 0.104. If a value satisfying such a numerical range is used as the first threshold and it is determined in operation ST04 that the calculated number is equal to or greater than the first threshold, the user may be in a state of impaired respiratory function due to thoracic stiffness. For example, the first threshold may be a value such that the ratio [1 / second] of the magnitude of the first threshold to the length of the first time period (magnitude of the first threshold / length of the first time period [seconds]) is 3 / 30 = 0.100. For example, in the example of Fig. 8, in the operation of ST04, it is determined that the calculated number is not equal to or greater than the first threshold, and accordingly the operations from ST01 are repeated. In contrast, in the example of Fig. 9, in the operation of ST04, it may be determined that the calculated number is equal to or greater than the first threshold, and accordingly the operation of ST05 may be performed.

[0069] In the operation of ST05, it is determined whether the number calculated in the operation of ST04 is less than a second threshold value that is greater than the first threshold value. The second threshold is, for example, a value where the ratio [1 / second] of the magnitude of the second threshold to the length of the first time period (magnitude of the second threshold / length of the first time period [seconds]) satisfies the relationship of 0.20 to 0.60. The second threshold is more preferably a value where the ratio satisfies the relationship of 0.30 to 0.50. The second threshold is even more preferably a value where the ratio satisfies the relationship of 0.35 to 0.40. If a value that satisfies such a numerical range is used as the second threshold and it is determined in the operation of ST05 that the calculated number is less than the second threshold, the user may be in a state of decreased respiratory function caused by thoracic stiffness. If it is determined in the operation of ST05 that the calculated number is not less than the second threshold, the user may be in a state of tachypnea. For example, the second threshold may be a value such that the ratio [1 / second] of the magnitude of the second threshold to the length of the first time period (magnitude of the second threshold / length of the first time period [seconds]) is 25 / 60=0.416. For example, in the example of FIG. 9, the calculated number is determined to be less than the second threshold, and accordingly, in operation ST06, a first notification signal indicating that the user is in a state of respiratory dysfunction caused by thoracic stiffness is output to the output device 3. This allows the user to perceive that they are in a state of respiratory dysfunction caused by thoracic stiffness.

[0070] Next, in the operation of ST03, when timing information corresponding to a first type of extreme value and a second type of extreme value within a first time period of the respiratory waveform is acquired and the extreme value time interval is calculated based on the timing information of both the first type of extreme value and the second type of extreme value, the following occurs.

[0071] When the first and second extrema are maximum and minimum values, respectively, the first time interval is, for example, 10% to 90%, preferably 30% to 70%, and more preferably 40% to 60% of the average value of the time intervals between adjacent extrema in the user's respiratory waveform when the user is in a normal breathing state. For example, the first time interval may be 2.5 seconds, which is suitable when the user is an adult and has a normal breathing rate (16 to 20 breathings per minute (combined number of inhalations and exhalations)).

[0072] The first threshold is, for example, a value such that the ratio [1 / second] of the magnitude of the first threshold to the length of the first time period (magnitude of the first threshold / length of the first time period [seconds]) satisfies the relationship of 0.160 to 0.240. The first threshold is more preferably a value such that the ratio satisfies the relationship of 0.180 to 0.220. The first threshold is even more preferably a value such that the ratio satisfies the relationship of 0.190 to 0.208. If a value satisfying such a numerical range is used as the first threshold and it is determined in operation ST04 that the calculated number is equal to or greater than the first threshold, the user may be in a state of impaired respiratory function due to thoracic stiffness. For example, the first threshold may be a value such that the ratio [1 / second] of the magnitude of the first threshold to the length of the first time period (magnitude of the first threshold / length of the first time period [seconds]) is 6 / 30 = 0.200.

[0073] The second threshold is, for example, a value where the ratio [1 / second] of the magnitude of the second threshold to the length of the first time period (magnitude of the second threshold / length of the first time period [seconds]) satisfies the relationship of 0.40 to 1.20. The second threshold is more preferably a value where the ratio satisfies the relationship of 0.60 to 1.00. The second threshold is even more preferably a value where the ratio satisfies the relationship of 0.70 to 0.80. If a value that satisfies such a numerical range is used as the second threshold and it is determined in the operation of ST05 that the calculated number is less than the second threshold, the user may be in a state of decreased respiratory function caused by thoracic stiffness. If it is determined in the operation of ST05 that the calculated number is not less than the second threshold, the user may be in a state of tachypnea. For example, the second threshold may be a value such that the ratio [1 / second] of the magnitude of the second threshold to the length of the first time period (magnitude of the second threshold / length of the first time period [seconds]) is 50 / 60 = 0.833···.

[0074] (effect) The information processing device 1 according to the first embodiment acquires data related to a waveform (respiratory waveform) indicating a user's respiratory state, acquires timing information corresponding to a first type of extremum and / or a second type of extremum within a first time period from the respiratory waveform, and calculates the time interval between the two extremums for each combination of adjacent extremums used to acquire the timing information. The information processing device 1 then calculates the number of time intervals within a first time interval among the calculated time intervals and determines whether the calculated number is equal to or greater than a first threshold. The information processing device 1 outputs a result based on whether the calculated number is equal to or greater than the first threshold. For example, the determination determines whether or not the respiratory waveform contains a certain percentage of locations where the intervals between extremums are narrower than when the user is in a normal respiratory state. Therefore, the output allows the user to easily recognize whether or not the user is experiencing abnormal breathing, such as when the intervals between extremums are narrower in the respiratory waveform. Examples of such abnormal breathing include abnormal breathing due to reduced respiratory function caused by stiffening of the thorax.

[0075] In particular, when timing information corresponding to a first type of extremum or a second type of extremum within a first time period of a respiratory waveform is acquired and an extremum time interval is calculated based on only the timing information of one of the first type of extremum and the second type of extremum, the following explanation applies: For example, the first threshold value may be a value such that the ratio [1 / second] of the magnitude of the first threshold value to the length of the first time period (magnitude of the first threshold value / length of the first time period [seconds]) is 0.080 or more and 0.120 or less, more preferably 0.090 or more and 0.110 or less, and even more preferably 0.095 or more and 0.104 or less, which is suitable for allowing a user to perceive, from the output, whether or not the respiratory system is in a state of decline in function due to stiffness of the thorax.

[0076] If the calculated number is equal to or greater than the first threshold, the information processing device 1 according to the first embodiment may further determine whether the calculated number is less than a second threshold greater than the first threshold. The output may further be based on whether the calculated number is less than the second threshold. The determination using the second threshold determines, for example, whether there is a greater proportion of narrower intervals in the respiratory waveform compared to when the user is in a normal respiratory state. Therefore, the output based on the determination using the second threshold also allows the user to easily perceive whether the user is in an abnormal respiratory state, such as tachypnea. Using two thresholds in this way allows the user to perceive, in the output, whether the user is in an abnormal respiratory state, such as when the intervals between the extreme values ​​in the respiratory waveform are narrower, along with the type of abnormal respiratory state.

[0077] In particular, when timing information corresponding to a first type of extremum or a second type of extremum within a first time period of a respiratory waveform is acquired and an extremum time interval is calculated based on only the timing information of one of the first type of extremum and the second type of extremum, the following explanation applies: The second threshold value is set to a value such that the ratio [1 / second] of the magnitude of the second threshold value to the length of the first time period (magnitude of the second threshold value / length of the first time period [seconds]) is 0.20 or more and 0.60 or less, more preferably 0.30 or more and 0.50 or less, and even more preferably 0.35 or more and 0.40 or less, which is suitable for enabling a user to perceive, from the output, whether or not the user is in a state of tachypnea.

[0078] The information processing device 1 according to the first embodiment may acquire acceleration data relating to a user. Based on the acceleration data, the information processing device 1 may identify a time period during which the absolute value of the acceleration associated with the user's movement is equal to or less than a threshold. The information processing device 1 may set the identified time period to be used as, for example, the first time period. During the first time period set in this manner, it is possible to estimate, for example, that the user is in a resting state. The respiratory waveform during the first time period can eliminate, for example, a situation in which the user is not in a resting state and the interval between the extreme values ​​of the respiratory waveform is narrow, and a situation in which the respiratory waveform is affected by noise due to the user's body movement. Therefore, the output based on the respiratory waveform during the first time period allows the user to more accurately perceive whether or not they are experiencing abnormal breathing.

[0079] [Variations] (1) First Modification The above description has been made mainly about a case where the extremum time interval is calculated based on timing information of only one of the first type extremum and the second type extremum in the operation of ST03, and the first threshold used in the operation of ST04 is, for example, a value where the ratio [1 / second] of the magnitude of the first threshold to the length of the first time period (magnitude of the first threshold / length of the first time period [seconds]) is a value that satisfies the relationship of 0.080 to 0.120, more preferably 0.090 to 0.110, and even more preferably 0.095 to 0.104. However, this embodiment is not limited to this.

[0080] For example, as described for the second threshold, the first threshold may be a value such that the ratio [1 / second] of the magnitude of the first threshold to the length of the first time period (magnitude of the first threshold / length of the first time period [seconds]) is 0.20 or more and 0.60 or less, more preferably 0.30 or more and 0.50 or less, and even more preferably 0.35 or more and 0.40 or less. In this case, as described above, a determination based on the second threshold may not be made, and only an output based on whether the calculated number is equal to or greater than the first threshold may be made. This output allows the user to perceive, for example, whether or not they are in an abnormal breathing state such as tachypnea. Such a first threshold may be a value such that the ratio [1 / second] of the magnitude of the first threshold to the length of the first time period (magnitude of the first threshold / length of the first time period [seconds]) is 25 / 60 = 0.416.

[0081] Similarly, in the operation of ST03, when the extreme value time interval is calculated based on the timing information of both the first type extreme value and the second type extreme value, the first threshold value used in the operation of ST04 may be, for example, a value that satisfies the relationship that the ratio [1 / second] of the magnitude of the first threshold value to the length of the first time period (magnitude of the first threshold value / length of the first time period [seconds]) is 0.40 or more and 1.20 or less, more preferably 0.60 or more and 1.00 or less, and even more preferably 0.70 or more and 0.80 or less.

[0082] (2) Second Modification The first threshold and / or the second threshold may be set to a value based on the category to which the user belongs.

[0083] For example, the acquisition unit 111 of the control unit 11 may execute a process of acquiring identification information of the user in addition to data related to a waveform (respiratory waveform) indicating the state of breathing of the user. For example, the identification information may be stored in association with the data related to the respiratory waveform in the respiratory waveform data storage unit 131. In this case, the respiratory waveform data processing unit 113 may execute a process of setting a first threshold value and / or a second threshold value to be used in processing by the determination unit 1132, based on the identification information of the user to be processed associated with the data related to the respiratory waveform of the user.

[0084] It is generally known that the normal respiratory rate for adults is 16 to 20 breaths per minute, while it is 20 to 25 breaths per minute for schoolchildren, 25 to 30 breaths per minute for toddlers, 30 to 35 breaths per minute for infants, and 35 to 50 breaths per minute for newborns. Furthermore, it is also known that there are gender differences. Thus, the normal respiratory rate varies depending on the category to which the user's identification information belongs. For example, for a user who belongs to a category with a generally high respiratory rate, the number of first-type extrema and the number of second-type extrema in the first time period portion of the user's respiratory waveform, which serves as the basis for the comparison process based on the first threshold in the determination unit 1132, will be large. For this reason, it is preferable to use a large value as the first threshold used to determine whether or not the user is in a state of respiratory dysfunction due to thoracic stiffness, and it is also preferable to use a large value as the second threshold used to determine whether or not the user is in a state of tachypnea. The information processing device 1 may set the first threshold and / or the second threshold to such suitable values ​​based on the above-mentioned user identification information under the control of the respiratory waveform data processing unit 113.

[0085] (3) Third Modification The first threshold value may be set to a value according to the breathing rate of the user. Specifically, the first threshold value is set as follows.

[0086] In the above description, the determination unit 1132 performs a comparison process based on a first threshold, using the portion of the user's respiratory waveform within the first time period as a reference. For example, the respiratory waveform data processing unit 113 may execute a process of setting the value of the first threshold used in the process by the determination unit 1132, based on the number of waves of one cycle within the portion of the respiratory waveform within the first time period. The number of waves may be, for example, the number of peaks with maximum and / or minimum values ​​exceeding a predetermined magnitude. The number of waves is determined so as not to count, for example, the number of peaks in the respiratory waveform that are broken or additional small peaks, as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 9 .

[0087] As the number of waves in one cycle within the first time interval portion of the respiratory waveform increases, the number of first-type extrema and the number of second-type extrema within the first time interval portion of the respiratory waveform also increase. For this reason, it is preferable to use a large value as the first threshold value used to determine whether or not the respiratory organ is in a state of reduced function due to, for example, thoracic stiffness. Therefore, under the control of the respiratory waveform data processing unit 113, the information processing device 1 may set the first threshold value to a larger value based on the user's breathing rate, for example, as the number of waves in one cycle within the first time interval portion of the respiratory waveform increases.

[0088] As described above, this invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and in the implementation stage, the components can be modified and embodied without departing from the gist of the invention. Furthermore, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining the multiple components disclosed in the above-described embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, different The components in the various embodiments may be combined as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0089] 1...information processing device, 11...control unit, 111...acquisition unit, 112...resting time period identification unit, 113...respiratory waveform data processing unit, 1131...extreme value time interval calculation unit, 1132...judgment unit, 114...output unit, 12...program memory unit, 13...data memory unit, 131...respiratory waveform data memory unit, 132...acceleration data memory unit, 133...resting time period memory unit, 134...extreme value time interval memory unit, 135...judgment result memory unit, 14...input / output interface, 2...measuring device, 3...output device, SYS...information processing system, NW...communication network, BUS...bus.

Claims

1. An information processing method executed by an apparatus including a hardware processor and a storage medium, comprising: acquiring data relating to a waveform indicating a user's respiratory state via a respiration measurement device, the data indicating a transition from inspiration to expiration in the waveform by a first type of extremum and a transition from expiration to inspiration by a second type of extremum; acquiring timing information corresponding to a first type of extremum and / or a second type of extremum within a first time period from the waveform, and calculating a time interval between the timing information corresponding to each of the two extremums for each combination of adjacent extremums used to acquire the timing information; calculating the number of time intervals that are within a first time interval among the calculated time intervals, and determining whether the calculated number is equal to or greater than a first threshold; performing an output based on whether the calculated number is equal to or greater than the first threshold value; An information processing method, including:

2. In the step of calculating the time interval, when timing information corresponding to the first type extremum or the second type extremum within the first time period is acquired from the waveform to calculate the time interval, a ratio [1 / second] of the magnitude of the first threshold value to the length of the first time period (magnitude of the first threshold value / length of the first time period [seconds]) is equal to or greater than 0.080 and equal to or less than 0.120, In the step of calculating the time interval, when timing information corresponding to the first type extremum and the second type extremum within the first time period is acquired from the waveform to calculate the time interval, a ratio [1 / second] of the magnitude of the first threshold value to the length of the first time period (magnitude of the first threshold value / length of the first time period [seconds]) is equal to or greater than 0.160 and equal to or less than 0.

240. The information processing method according to claim 1 .

3. the determining step further includes a step of determining, when the calculated number is equal to or greater than the first threshold, whether the calculated number is less than a second threshold that is greater than the first threshold; In the step of outputting, the output is further based on whether the calculated number is less than the second threshold value. The information processing method according to claim 1 .

4. In the step of calculating the time interval, when timing information corresponding to the first type extremum or the second type extremum within the first time period is acquired from the waveform to calculate the time interval, a ratio [1 / second] of the magnitude of the first threshold to the length of the first time period (magnitude of the first threshold / length of the first time period [seconds]) is 0.080 or more and 0.120 or less, and a ratio [1 / second] of the magnitude of the second threshold to the length of the first time period (magnitude of the second threshold / length of the first time period [seconds]) is 0.20 or more and 0.60 or less, In the step of calculating the time interval, when timing information corresponding to the first type extremum and the second type extremum within the first time period is acquired from the waveform to calculate the time interval, a ratio [1 / second] of the magnitude of the first threshold to the length of the first time period (magnitude of the first threshold / length of the first time period [seconds]) is 0.160 or more and 0.240 or less, and a ratio [1 / second] of the magnitude of the second threshold to the length of the first time period (magnitude of the second threshold / length of the first time period [seconds]) is 0.40 or more and 1.20 or less. The information processing method according to claim 3 .

5. In the step of calculating the time interval, when timing information corresponding to the first type extremum or the second type extremum within the first time period is acquired from the waveform to calculate the time interval, a ratio [1 / second] of the magnitude of the first threshold value to the length of the first time period (magnitude of the first threshold value / length of the first time period [seconds]) is equal to or greater than 0.20 and equal to or less than 0.60, In the step of calculating the time interval, when timing information corresponding to the first type extremum and the second type extremum within the first time period is acquired from the waveform to calculate the time interval, a ratio [1 / second] of the magnitude of the first threshold to the length of the first time period (magnitude of the first threshold / length of the first time period [seconds]) is equal to or greater than 0.40 and equal to or less than 1.

20. The information processing method according to claim 1 .

6. further comprising acquiring acceleration data relating to the user; the first time period is a time during which an absolute value of acceleration accompanying the user's movement is equal to or less than a threshold; The information processing method according to claim 1 .

7. when the step of calculating the time interval involves acquiring timing information corresponding to the first type of extreme value or the second type of extreme value within the first time period from the waveform to calculate the time interval, the first time interval is a time interval having a length that is 5% to 45% of an average value of time intervals between adjacent maximum values ​​or an average value of time intervals between adjacent minimum values ​​in a waveform that indicates the respiratory state of the user when the user is in a normal respiratory state, In the step of calculating the time interval, when timing information corresponding to the first type of extremum and the second type of extremum within the first time period is acquired from the waveform to calculate the time interval, the first time interval has a length that is 10% to 90% of an average value of time intervals between adjacent extremums in a waveform that indicates the respiratory state of the user when the user is in a normal respiratory state. The information processing method according to claim 1 .

8. The information processing method according to claim 1 , wherein the first threshold is set based on identification information of the user.

9. The information processing method according to claim 1 , wherein the first threshold is set based on a breathing rate of the user.

10. an acquisition unit that acquires, via a respiration measurement device, data relating to a waveform that indicates a user's respiratory state, wherein the waveform indicates a transition from inhalation to exhalation with a first type of extreme value and a transition from exhalation to inhalation with a second type of extreme value; a time interval calculation unit that acquires timing information corresponding to a first type of extreme value and / or a second type of extreme value within a first time period from the waveform, and calculates a time interval between pieces of timing information corresponding to each of two extreme values ​​for each combination of adjacent extreme values ​​used to acquire the timing information; a determination unit that calculates the number of time intervals that are within a first time interval from among the calculated time intervals, and determines whether the calculated number is equal to or greater than a first threshold; an output unit that performs output based on whether the calculated number is equal to or greater than the first threshold; An information processing device comprising:

11. The information processing device according to claim 10; At least one of the respiration measuring device and an output device that performs output based on the output from the information processing device; An information processing system comprising:

12. an acquiring unit that acquires data relating to a waveform indicating a breathing state of a user, the data indicating a transition from inspiration to expiration in the waveform by a first kind of extreme value and a transition from expiration to inspiration by a second kind of extreme value; a time interval calculation unit that acquires timing information corresponding to a first type of extreme value and / or a second type of extreme value within a first time period from the waveform, and calculates a time interval between pieces of timing information corresponding to each of two extreme values ​​for each combination of adjacent extreme values ​​used to acquire the timing information; a determination unit that calculates the number of time intervals that are within a first time interval from among the calculated time intervals, and determines whether the calculated number is equal to or greater than a first threshold; an output unit that performs output based on whether the calculated number is equal to or greater than the first threshold; An information processing system comprising:

13. A program for causing a computer to execute processing by each unit of the information processing device according to claim 10.

14. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that stores a program for causing a computer to execute the processes of each unit of the information processing device according to claim 10.

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